Flashing Napier smashes records

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier set Chelmsford alight with a blistering record-breaking innings in the Twenty20 Cup on Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old smashed a world record 16 sixes in a brutal 152 not out from just 58 balls as the Eagles thrashed Sussex by 128 runs at Chelmsford.

It was the highest individual score in the history of the competition and just six short of New Zealander Brendon McCullum's overall record in the shortest format of the game.

"It was a fantastic night for me - really awesome," said Napier.

"I middled a few early on, started seeing the ball well and things just got better and better.

"It was just one of those days when everything seemed to go well. Even a bit of a mishit finished up going for six."

His innings helped Essex to 242 for three, a target which proved well beyond Sussex as they were bowled out for 114. Maurice Chambers and James Middlebrook took three wickets apiece.

The result eliminated Sussex and kept Essex firmly in the reckoning for a quarter-final place in the South Division.